Basketball Slips Past St. Andrews 58-56

Gainesville, Georgia- The Brenau basketball team used a big third quarter and a solid defensive effort to slip past St. Andrews (NC) University 58-56 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play on Saturday.

In the first quarter, the teams battled to a 19-19 tie as neither team could find an early advantage. In the second quarter, the visiting team went on a 7-2 run to take a 28-21 lead, however, the Golden Tigers answered as sophomore Nyla Moore scored on a fast break and freshman Taylor Williams hit two free throws to cut the lead to 28-25. Freshman Jill Pittman scored on two consecutive baskets to give the Golden Tigers a 29-28 lead, then Williams added another basket to close out the half.

In the third quarter, the three pointers started falling as Pittman drained a three pointer, then sophomore Hanna Cannon added another triple from the corner to give Brenau a 39-32 lead. Moore added a third consecutive three pointer to give the Golden Tigers its largest lead of the game at 42-32. The lead held throughout the period and Brenau took a 53-44 advantage into the final stanza.

The Knights opened the fourth quarter on a 10-4 run to cut the deficit to 57-52. Neither team scored for over four minutes until Aneas Price scored on a three point play to make the score 57-56 with 14 seconds remaining. Pittman was fouled and made one of two free throws to make the score 58-56, however Price missed a game-tying layup with two seconds remaining to help Brenau escape with the win.

Junior Katherine Fourie led the Golden Tigers with 17 points, while Moore added nine points and five rebounds. Pittman posted a balanced eight points, five rebounds and four assists, while senior post Xian Lopez added eight points and five rebounds.

Price led St. Andrews with a game-high 19 points.

Brenau (3-4 overall, 2-4 AAC) next hosts #25 Bryan (Tenn.) College (9-0 overall, 6-0 AAC) on Wednesday in an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup at 6 pm.